The events are being used to promote Turkey's bid to host the 2020 Olympics

The European Tour, Turkish Golf Federation and ISM today announced the creation of the Turkish Open, which will serve as the next-to-last event on the European Tour's schedule beginning in '13. The event, with a purse of US$7M, will be fully sanctioned by the Tour in a three-year agreement. The 78-man field will play Nov. 7-10, 2013 at the Montgomerie-Maxx Royal course (European Tour). The PA's Phil Casey notes the announcement is "part of continuing attempts to promote Turkey as a golfing destination and boost the country's bid to host the 2020 Olympics" (PA, 10/10). Golfweek's Alex Miceli said, "It’s a big coup for the European Tour and certainly a big coup for Turkey. It’s a three-year deal, so I think that means that at least the playoff scenario will go for at least three years.” Golf Channel’s Gary Williams said the “timing is interesting” for the Turkish Open, as next year "begins the wraparound season" for the PGA Tour. Williams: "Whereas before they may not have had a conflict with the regular Tour event, next year that potential does exist” (“Morning Drive,” Golf Channel, 10/10).

GROWING THE GAME: The AP's Doug Ferguson wrote the "best measure of how much golf is growing around the world can be found in Turkey." Having the "biggest names in golf" participate in the Turkish Airlines World Golf Finals this week, including Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood, "might inspire more interest in the game" in the country (AP, 10/9). Golfweek's Miceli said it is "just amazing how many people" were at first day of the World Golf Final yesterday. It showed "how quickly a sport like golf can become interesting to people who don’t even play it” ("Morning Drive," Golf Channel, 10/10). In London, Peter Dixon writes the "decent-sized galleries, heavily made up of British expats, enjoyed getting so close to the players and gave no hint of misbehaving." For the most part, "there was more of a garden-party atmosphere around the pristine Sultan Course than a full-on golf tournament" (LONDON TIMES, 10/10).

ROUGH START: In London, James Corrigan noted near the beginning of the World Golf Finals, a photographer claimed that he "had been headbutted" by Turkish Golf Federation President Ahmet Agaoglu. Cihat Unal, who works for a local news agency, "pressed assault charges" against Agaoglu. Unal's glasses "were broken and he immediately attended a police station to file his complaint" (TELEGRAPH.co.uk, 10/9).

HTA wants a long-term deal with the NFL to keep the Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium

The Hawaii Tourism Authority and NFL “started meeting this week to find ways to boost the Pro Bowl’s economic impact on local businesses and the state, market the game overseas -- especially in Asia -- and, possibly, to sign a long-term deal with the league to keep the game in Honolulu,” according to Mark Abramson of the PACIFIC BUSINESS NEWS. HTA officials said that the meetings are “being held by the recently expanded Pro Bowl Hawaii Host Committee and the NFL,” and will address “subjects such as business development, attendance, players/players’ spouse experience in Hawaii, media exposure, the military and the community’s experience.” NFL officials are “participating via video conference.” The "committee is chaired" by Hawaii resident and Bengals co-Owner Dr. Edison Miyawaki. HTA President & CEO Mike McCartney said that the marketing effort includes “working to develop travel packages by reaching out to airlines, tour companies and other businesses in the tourism industry.” The committee also “wants to look at ways to attract people from the Neighbor Islands to the game and what the NFL can do around the state.” Hawaii Pacific Univ. College of Business Administration travel industry management professor Jerry Agrusa said that reaching out to Asia to market the Pro Bowl and the NFL “could be difficult.” He said that the NFL “doesn’t have a star from that part of the world.” McCartney said that another goal is “to reach a longer-term deal to keep the game at Aloha Stadium” (PACIFIC BUSINESS NEWS, 10/5 issue).